Picture this scene: Two groups are hard at work. One group scrutinizes an elaborate CAD (computer-aided design) drawing of a bridge. Another group collaborates to craft a sophisticated engineering model.
This scene occurred earlier this week. Not at an engineering firm. Not even in a college civil engineering lab. But rather, in Dr. Meg Van Dyke’s O’Neill classroom after school Wednesday, Dec. 7. An extension of her science classroom, Dr. Van Dyke invites students to visit after school to tinker with engineering and science. A group of about 10 regulars usually stops by.
“I really enjoy engineering. I love math and science,” said Mary, an O’Neill eighth grader in the group. “When I grow up, I’d like to have a job in STEM.”
This group recently entered the competitive regional Deltrol Fluid Power Challenge. This challenge required students to gain tremendous knowledge of fluid power and to independently demonstrate their expertise through an all-day competition.
O’Neill won the grand prize.
Now, they’re preparing for next month’s regional University of Illinois Extension Bridge Bust competition. It’s essentially a competition to see which students can build the strongest and best-engineered model bridge. They’re determined to win this challenge, too.
“Offering these opportunities to students at the middle school level gets them thinking about pursuing these STEM careers in the future,” said Dr. Van Dyke.
Case in point: When asked what they wanted to do when they grew up, the students said:
“I really like aerospace engineering or maybe aeronautical engineering,” shared Gabe.
“I like to build stuff. I want to be an engineer,” said Eliza. “I want to be an aerospace engineer so I can go to Mars, or I might want to study architecture,” said Dylan.
“I want to study fine arts or maybe coding,” said Katie.
“I want to be a fluid engineer,” added Jason.